About the Artist

Growing up on a farm in Indiana is what first inspired Penny French-Deal to begin the lifelong pursuit of capturing her surroundings. Traveling throughout the United States and Europe only further stimulated the artist within, leading Penny to create works of rhythmic depth with an emotional stake.

Working primarily in oils, the depth of her images is masterfully created full of color and texture, giving Penny’s work a wondrous, emotive energy.  Her loose, impressionistic style offers the perfect combination of shapes, colors and contrast to allow the viewers mind’s eye to fill in the detail that completes the compelling visual story she tells in each piece. 

Her resume of competitions, selected exhibits and solo shows include (among others) the International Painting and Mixed Media Competition, Sofia, Bulgaria;  American Impressionist Society’s Annual Juried Show; Indiana Artists, Inc.; Hoosier Salon, (Indianapolis, New Harmony and Wabash galleries);  Indiana Heritage Arts; Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis; Hoosier Women Artists awards (2009, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023); Manchester University (Gallery G and Gallery 101);  ArtsPlace, Portland; Honeywell Center, Wabash.
 
French-Deal holds a degree in Interior Design from Indiana University and has studied at the Fort Wayne Art Institute.  She has continued her education by studying with artists such as Ken Auster, Carolyn Anderson, Kathryn Stats, Dee Beard Dean, Roger Dale Brown and Dennis Perrin. Inspiration comes from her travels throughout the United States and Europe as well as her fascination of everyday experiences.  In the Fall of 2019, she traveled to Giverny, France to spend a week painting in Monet's gardens.  Upon her return, she immediately spent the next five months replicating the 100 year old hand painted design of the ceiling of the ballroom in the Eagles Theatre, Wabash, Indiana.   She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and her work can be found in private, corporate, museum, and university collections throughout the United States and Europe. Her chosen home and studio is in North Manchester, Indiana.  She manages her own gallery, French-Deal Fine Art in Roanoke, Indiana where she works to bring all viewers the beauty of presence and a place to step inside her paintings.
 

Artist Statement:
Painting is an extension of what is in my heart…an impressionistic interpretation of my feelings about the world around me.  Ideas float in my head sometimes for years…then, when ready, through my hand they imbue themselves upon the canvas.  The variations of vivid color; shadows and shapes; texture and brushstrokes communicate my thoughts and feelings, reaching out to those who view my work.  
 
I hope the pleasure I receive from the creative process, and the awe I feel at the wonders of this earth are evident in each piece I produce.  Nothing pleases me more than to know others have been touched by my art: a fond memory recalled; an appreciation of nature triggered; an emotion not often allowed, showing itself once again.
 
Art is so powerful for the creator and the viewer.  It’s a personal statement of values…a reflection of our inner most desires.  As the artist, I choose to share mine with you. I hope you enjoy the experience.


Education

Indiana University, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Studied at the Fort Wayne Art Institute
Artist workshops with Ken Auster, Carolyn Anderson, Dee Beard Dean, Kathryn Stats, Roger Dale Brown and Dennis Perrin
 
Solo Exhibits

ArtsPlace, Portland, Indiana, May 1-June 30, 2014
Gallery 101, Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Fort Wayne, Indiana, January 31-June 13, 2014
First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 7-April 20, 2014
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Fort Wayne, Indiana, March, 2013
Ivy Tech, Fort Wayne, Indiana, April, 2011
Push Pin Gallery, Artlink, Fort Wayne, Indiana,  February, 2011
Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana - November 29 - December 27, 2010   
Gallery G, Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana,   December 2009 - February 2010
The Hudson Gallery of Fine Art, Winona Lake, Indiana,  June 2009
 
International Competitions and Exhibits

2011
International Painting and Mixed Media Competition,Lessedra Art Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria, December 2011 - February 2012
2010    
International Painting and Mixed Media Competition, Lessedra Art Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria, December 2010 - February 2011
 
Juried Shows
Oil Painters of America Juried Salon Show, 2021
American Impressionist Society 19th Annual National Juried Exhibition, 2018
BoldBrush Competition, June 2019, December 2018, June 2018, July 2014
Hoosier Salon, Indianapolis, Indiana
2007, 2009, 2014
Indiana Artists, Inc.
2016, 2018
International Painting and Mixed Media Competition, Sofia, Bulgaria
2010-2011, 2011-2012
Indiana Heritage Arts, Nashville, Indiana
2013
The Honeywell Foundation, Inc., Clark Gallery, 92 County Art Show (formerly 9-County), Wabash, Indiana       
2003, 2004, 2006-2011, 2013
Fort Wayne Art Guild, Ventures in Creativity, Ft. Wayne, Indiana
2009, 2010
Honeywell Center Themed Art Competition, Theme:  America, Wabash, Indiana
2009

Awards

2012
Best of Show, Akron Area Arts League, Akron, Indiana
2011
Best of Show (All Medium), Third Place (All Medium) Lakeland Art Association, Pierceton, Indiana
First Place – Oils,Second Place Oils, Wabash Art Guild,Wabash, Indiana         
2010
Second Place - Oils, Honorable Mention - Oils, People's Choice Award, Lakeland Art Association, Pierceton, Indiana
2009
Hoosier Salon 85th  Annual Exhibit, Indianapolis, Indiana
Purchase Award
Second Place - Paintings, The Honeywell Foundation, Inc. Clark Gallery Nine County Art Show,Wabash, Indiana
Second Place – Oil, Wabash, Indiana
People’s Choice Award (overall), Renaissance of Roanoke, Roanoke, Indiana

Memberships:
     American Impressionist Society
     Oil Painters of America
     Indiana Artists Club
     Indiana Plein Air Painters Association


Guest Speaker

Fort Wayne Art League, Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 2014
Canterbury School Book Fair, Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 2013 and April 2018
Fort Wayne Art Guild, Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 2012
The Honeywell House, Wabash, Indiana, July 2010
Peabody Retirement Center, North Manchester, August 2010

 
Workshop Instructor

Landscape workshops, The Gallery at Joseph Decuis, Roanoke, IN (ongoing)
Landscape workshop, Artworks, The Galleria of Fine Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 2013
Instructor for the Murosity Project, Parkview Foundation, 2011 (www.murosity.com)
Portrait Workshop, North Manchester, Indiana, September 2010
   

Partial List of Public Collections, Private Collections and Commissions

West Baden Hotel, French Lick, Indiana           
University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana                   
St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parkview Regional Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana                             
Wabash County Historical Museum, Wabash, Indiana          
The Paper Chase, Chicago, Illinois
Amb. Randall Tobias, Indianapolis, Indiana
Michael Himes, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Linda Cambre, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Dr. Lindsey Ligler, Fort Wayne, Indiana                                        
Amy Ford, Wabash, Indiana                     
Janet Schutt, Indianapolis, Indiana             
Maple Leaf Farms, Leesburg, Indiana                  
Mr. and Mrs. Rick Phillips
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Eshelman, Roanoke, Indiana
Mr. Keith Busse, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Dr. and Mrs. Kevin Berning, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Mimi Rolland, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Jones, Wabash, Indiana
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Rowland, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Mr. and Mrs. Randy Hoover, Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr. and Mrs. Byron Lamm, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Mr. and Mrs. Bob McCallen, Sr., Wabash, Indiana
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Davis, Kentland, Indiana
Mrs. June Parker, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Druley, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Ms. Kim Fisher, Raleigh, North Carolina
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hall, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Dr. Tamara Wheeler, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Mrs. Carol Konyha, Wabash, Indiana
Mrs. Jennifer McSpadden, Wabash, Indiana